FAST growing firms, green champions, innovators and community minded companies are in the shortlist for the prestigious Daily Post’s Achievement Wales Business Awards. The awards are a chance to highlight North Wales’ outstanding companies, organisations and business people.

With a 40% hike in entries on 2012 judging was difficult for the expert panel this year but they have drawn up shortlists in nine separate categories with the winners to be announced at a glittering award event in Venue Cymru next month.

Winners of the Bangor University sponsored Business Person of the Year and Catrefi Conwy backed Judges' Choice Award will also be revealed.

In the ACCA Business of the Year category (up to 10 employees), Be My Bear Ltd, Wrexham firm ExVeritas Limited and Supertemps Ltd were selected for the shortlist.

Sarah Ellwood, from Colwyn Bay based recruitment firm Supertemps, said: “The team at Supertemps is thrilled to have been shortlisted in this year’s Daily Post Achievement Wales Awards.

“We follow the awards with interest every year - they do such a great job in promoting business and entrepreneurship throughout North Wales, even more important through the difficult economic times from which we are just emerging.

“This year it is an added excitement to be shortlisted in the Business of the Year Category – what an accolade.

“We’ll have everything crossed at the ceremony!”

Pippa Thomas, from Be My Bear, Rhos-on-Sea, said: “We are delighted to be in the shortlist, it is great to be recognised for what we have achieved. The last year has seen dramatic increases in turnover and profit and it is nice to get recognition for that.”

In the shortlist for Business of the Year (up to 50 employees) category were Denbigh based Lawson Civil Engineering and Utilities Limited, Welshpool web and app developers GloverSure Ltd and Tonys Meats Limited, who work across North Wales.

For the Business of the Year (over 50 employees) category the shortlist included Delivery Solutions (Delsol) Ltd, Machynlleth renewable energy firm Dulas Ltd and Harlech Foodservice Ltd.

Dulas Ltd are also in the Welsh Exporter of the Year shortlist alongside Ifor Williams Trailers and Cerrig Granite & Slate Ltd.

Peter Nesbitt, the Business Development manager at Ifor Williams Trailers, said: "We were pleased to be named as a finalist for our export successes.

"Ifor Williams Trailers has a growing international reputation for excellence and we have established ourselves as the pre-eminent trailer maker in Europe with an unparalleled range of products.

"We believe the secret of success is an on-going quest for continuing improvement to our products that are known for their strength and enduring quality."

The Business Start-Up Award will be between Conwy chocolate maker Baravelli's, Brenig Construction, also based in Conwy, and Home Improvements (UK) Ltd

Ace Lifts, Clifford Jones Timber Group and St George's Hotel, Llandudno, are in the Growth Through Innovation Award shortlist.

Keith Corbett, managing director at Ruthin based Clifford Jones, said: "We are delighted to be shortlisted as a finalist for such a prestigious award.

"We will of course have our fingers crossed on the night but reaching the final is welcome recognition of how we have achieved growth through innovation.

"We are particularly proud that we have created Wales's first timber laminating plant and had developed a new wood-framed solar panel frame.

"The state-of-the art laminating plant represented a £1.2 million investment which has created 10 new jobs and will create a firm foundation for future growth."

Battling out the Tourism Partnership North Wales Award will be Go Below Underground Adventures, The Royal Victoria Hotel, Llanberis and Lauriston Court Hotel, Llandudno.

Jennifer Moulding, from Go Below, Betws-y-Coed, said: “We’re thrilled and very excited to be short listed for the Tourism Award in December.

“Over the last four years we’ve guided thousands of visitors through the abandoned mines of Snowdonia; providing them with a totally unique adventure, while also educating on the Welsh mining industry and its history.

“We’ve seen a steady rise of visitors to our attraction year on year with people travelling as far as Norfolk, Isle of Wight and Scotland just to Go Below.”

Eagles Meadow manager Kevin Critchley said: "Being shortlisted as a finalist is a wonderful accolade for the whole team here at the shopping centre which has helped underline Wrexham's credentials as the shopping capital of North Wales.

“We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously and one of the highlights of my career has been making Eagles Meadow one of the greenest if not the greenest shopping centre in Wales.”

The Magnox Community Award will be between the Oyster Catcher restaurant, Rhosneigr, Boyns Information Systems Ltd, Ruthin, and North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT).

Peter Harris, Head of Training at Timpson’s, commenting on the Oyster Catcher, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been shortlisted for this prestigious award.

“The Oyster Catcher team have worked tirelessly over the last three years to develop a chef training programme for the young people of Anglesey that is genuinely world class.”